Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or any DC character. I do own Ghost Blade, or any other name you wish to call him as.

Note: This is a rewrite of the basic idea of When Gods Smile, but if you haven't read it, don't read it if you don't want to ruin the surprise of this one.

Another Note: This story contains Titans mentioned from DC Encyclopedia. Superboy and Wonder Girl are with Titans East and Kid Flash is with the original Titans.

When Gods Smile True by zadeon

Part 1: Running from Destiny

Chapter 1: Hiding Among Enemies

She turns the light on, dismissing the shadows for now. Her hand slowly retrieves the object of her desire from its place next to the lamp. Her thumb takes in the texture of the wooden frame. The picture brings a small tear to her eye. She quickly bottle's up her emotions, after all, she chose this path.

She slowly glides to an old couch. Her movement onto the sofa is more like that of falling then sitting. A small cloud of dust rises from her contact with the old couch, but it is unquestionably comfortable. She places the picture in her lap.

The image is that of her friends, those she had left behind, the Teen Titans. Titans East, under the leadership of Bumble Bee, was on the right of the picture while the original Titans, under the leadership of Robin, was on the left. Titans East consisted of their leader, Bumble Bee, Aqualad, Speedy, Superboy, Wonder Girl and Mas y Menos. The original Titans consisted of Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Beastboy, Kid Flash and herself.

Raven had left the Titans so her father's servant, Slade, would be unable to reach her as easily. She would not let Slade take her without her trying everything she could think of. Her powers were also a reason for her leaving. They had become far too unstable for her friends to be safe around her. She was protecting them from herself, but Kid Flash was the one she wished to protect the most.

'Kid Flash,' Raven's thoughts drifted to the speedster, 'a name that suits you, Bart. How childish you act sometimes and still I long to see you again.' The table at her feet explodes into several large fragments. She let out a sigh that was loud enough to be heard from outside the room. 'Why must my gift also be my curse?'

She had run to the only person she knew could help her, even though he was a villain. He and his minions had taken her away and had brought her to the home of a man she had met before she had become a titan. Slade would not think to look in Gotham for her.

The sudden sound of a door being thrown open brought Raven from her thoughts. A man who had cybernetic parts entered her temporary sanctuary. The light that reflected off of his robotic parts made some areas of the room turn red. He walked over to her and she noticed that his eyes were glowing red.

"Stop trying, Blood." Raven's monotone voice held through her sorrow.

A smile creep onto Brother Blood's face and his eyes returned to normal. "I just wanted to know why you came to me and demanded that I hide you. Cyborg once infiltrated my school to uncover my plans. I want to make sure your not trying to do the same."

Raven's eyes narrow on her ally, for the moment at least. "I left the Titans because my father, Trigon," Brother Blood's eyes open in a momentary shock, "is using Slade to fulfill a prophecy that will bring him into our dimension. Trigon needs me, to open the portal. You keep me from Slade's clutches, you keep the world form its end. And, I know you don't want the world to end anymore than I do."

"But," Blood started, his eyes concentrating entirely on the gothic empath's eyes, "why come to me?"

"You are the head master of the H.I.V.E.. You have many students to help you protect me and I've fought Jinx, Gizmo and Mammoth enough times that I know where I would best fit in their strategies." Raven looked over at a book case and levitated a book to her.

"I hope this problem ends soon." With that said, Blood left the room.

(--- --- ---)

An hour or so passed before Raven was disturbed again. A knock came from the door. "Who is it?" Her voice was not more then a whisper, but it was heard.

"It's Jinx." Her voice was sort of… cheerful. Raven had not known that Jinx could be like that.

Raven opened the door with her powers and Jinx took a quick step in. "What do you want?"

Jinx went to the couch and sat next to Raven. "I want to know more about… your friends."

Raven cocked an eyebrow. "Anyone in particular… like Cyborg?" A small blush found its way onto Jinx's cheeks. "Any particular reason you're interested in Cyborg?" A small evil grin found its way onto Raven's face as Jinx's blush deepened.

"I kind of have a… crush on Cyborg." Jinx's voice was no higher than a whisper.

"Well…" Raven's smile disappeared, "whether he likes you back or not doesn't matter while you're a criminal."

Jinx lowers head at Raven's comment. 'Is she ashamed?' Raven's hand finds its way onto Jinx's shoulder. "We may not have made to right choice when faced with it, but we can try to fix it."

Jinx laughed. "I can't fix what I've done." With that, she got up and left. Raven put her book on the lamp stand. She lay back on the couch, pulled her cloak around herself and fell asleep.